I like this Pope as well. He washes the feet of criminals, hangs around the poor, talks of equality, preaches that we are all God's children and to love one another, and eschews the trappings of wealth that come with being head dog at the Vatican.

IdBeCrazyIf:I like this Pope as well. He washes the feet of criminals, hangs around the poor, talks of equality, preaches that we are all God's children and to love one another, and eschews the trappings of wealth that come with being head dog at the Vatican.

RexTalionis:It is a "selfie," it's just someone else's "selfie" with the Pope in it.

"Selfie" shouldn't count when there is more than 1 person in the picture. FFS, what are you going to do, hand your phone or camera over to a total stranger to take the picture? Seriously, people have been doing this for decades, the whole "phenomenon" is all of these stupid self-indulgent solo shots, not people on vacation, and one takes the pic of the whole group.

It seems to me like he's made lots of popular gestures and pandering which is something that Joey Ratz never bothered to do. These gestures alone have made him popular with (some of) the people, but he really hasn't done anything substantive with or within the Church. I feel like the outreach that he's done is simply to further the Church's mindset of "hookin' em while they's young".

The Catholic church has real, substantive problems with the priests within its ranks, and so far my perception of this guy is to bob, weave, and misdirect so he doesn't have to deal with any of them. Fortunately for him, he's doing an excellent job at it so far.

If he got in front of a camera tomorrow and said something to the effect of "Look, we've had some issues in the past, between the kiddy-diddling priests, hiding of assets to avoid paying out settlements to the diddled kids, money laundering, influence peddling in Italy and elsewhere, etc. I know about them, and as Pope it's my responsibility to acknowledge failings in my Church. We're going to fix this in the most transparent way possible. We've had an internal investigation with assistance from local authorities to determine which priests were responsible for the pedophilia charges, they have been excommunicated and brought before the authorities to receive the justice they deserve. We've enlisted the help of the World Bank and IMF to bring the Bank of Vatican up to world standards, and to do a thorough and complete audit of our books by a objective, third-party firm. I understand that this is going to be a lengthy process on both accounts, but I want all believers everywhere to understand that we're not going to run from our obligations to you, or our obligations to God. Change starts from within, and if we're going to make this world a better, more peaceful place, then we have to start by cleaning our own house. Oh, and someone tell Pat Robertson and Fred Phelps in America to knock that shiat off.", that would go light-years to rebuilding the bridges that once stood and you'd see Catholic self-identification and parish numbers EXPLODE, and Francis would be a Pope revered for the ages.

It seems to me like he's made lots of popular gestures and pandering which is something that Joey Ratz never bothered to do. These gestures alone have made him popular with (some of) the people, but he really hasn't done anything substantive with or within the Church. I feel like the outreach that he's done is simply to further the Church's mindset of "hookin' em while they's young".

The Catholic church has real, substantive problems with the priests within its ranks, and so far my perception of this guy is to bob, weave, and misdirect so he doesn't have to deal with any of them. Fortunately for him, he's doing an excellent job at it so far.

If he got in front of a camera tomorrow and said something to the effect of "Look, we've had some issues in the past, between the kiddy-diddling priests, hiding of assets to avoid paying out settlements to the diddled kids, money laundering, influence peddling in Italy and elsewhere, etc. I know about them, and as Pope it's my responsibility to acknowledge failings in my Church. We're going to fix this in the most transparent way possible. We've had an internal investigation with assistance from local authorities to determine which priests were responsible for the pedophilia charges, they have been excommunicated and brought before the authorities to receive the justice they deserve. We've enlisted the help of the World Bank and IMF to bring the Bank of Vatican up to world standards, and to do a thorough and complete audit of our books by a objective, third-party firm. I understand that this is going to be a lengthy process on both accounts, but I want all believers everywhere to understand that we're not going to run from our obligations to you, or our obligations to God. Change starts from within, and if we're going to make this world a better, more peaceful place, then we have to start by cleaning our own house. Oh, and someone tell Pat Robertson and Fred Phelps in Americ ...

Comic Book Guy:These gestures alone have made him popular with (some of) the people, but he really hasn't done anything substantive with or within the Church. I feel like the outreach that he's done is simply to further the Church's mindset of "hookin' em while they's young".

The Catholic church has real, substantive problems with the priests within its ranks, and so far my perception of this guy is to bob, weave, and misdirect so he doesn't have to deal with any of them. Fortunately for him, he's doing an excellent job at it so far.

Farking THIS^ This asshole pope isn't any better than the guy that just quit, just better at pandering. Get back to me once the catholics get serious about turning in all the pedophiles they're hiding.

It seems to me like he's made lots of popular gestures and pandering which is something that Joey Ratz never bothered to do. These gestures alone have made him popular with (some of) the people, but he really hasn't done anything substantive with or within the Church. I feel like the outreach that he's done is simply to further the Church's mindset of "hookin' em while they's young".

The Catholic church has real, substantive problems with the priests within its ranks, and so far my perception of this guy is to bob, weave, and misdirect so he doesn't have to deal with any of them. Fortunately for him, he's doing an excellent job at it so far.

If he got in front of a camera tomorrow and said something to the effect of "Look, we've had some issues in the past, between the kiddy-diddling priests, hiding of assets to avoid paying out settlements to the diddled kids, money laundering, influence peddling in Italy and elsewhere, etc. I know about them, and as Pope it's my responsibility to acknowledge failings in my Church. We're going to fix this in the most transparent way possible. We've had an internal investigation with assistance from local authorities to determine which priests were responsible for the pedophilia charges, they have been excommunicated and brought before the authorities to receive the justice they deserve. We've enlisted the help of the World Bank and IMF to bring the Bank of Vatican up to world standards, and to do a thorough and complete audit of our books by a objective, third-party firm. I understand that this is going to be a lengthy process on both accounts, but I want all believers everywhere to understand that we're not going to run from our obligations to you, or our obligations to God. Change starts from within, and if we're going to make this world a better, more peaceful place, then we have to start by cleaning our own house. Oh, and someone tell Pat Robertson and Fred Phelps in Americ ...

I'm not unmindful of the church's past and I think they have some serious problems. I just like the fact that this Pope doesn't seem to have an army of handlers standing between him and the masses, carefully insulating him from the outside world. I think it's an encouraging sign.

Johnny Swank:Comic Book Guy: These gestures alone have made him popular with (some of) the people, but he really hasn't done anything substantive with or within the Church. I feel like the outreach that he's done is simply to further the Church's mindset of "hookin' em while they's young".

The Catholic church has real, substantive problems with the priests within its ranks, and so far my perception of this guy is to bob, weave, and misdirect so he doesn't have to deal with any of them. Fortunately for him, he's doing an excellent job at it so far.

Farking THIS^ This asshole pope isn't any better than the guy that just quit, just better at pandering. Get back to me once the catholics get serious about turning in all the pedophiles they're hiding.

Everything the Vatican had on pedophiles in the Church has been handed over to the Italian Government. It's not the Church that's doing nothing.

It seems to me like he's made lots of popular gestures and pandering which is something that Joey Ratz never bothered to do. These gestures alone have made him popular with (some of) the people, but he really hasn't done anything substantive with or within the Church. I feel like the outreach that he's done is simply to further the Church's mindset of "hookin' em while they's young".

The Catholic church has real, substantive problems with the priests within its ranks, and so far my perception of this guy is to bob, weave, and misdirect so he doesn't have to deal with any of them. Fortunately for him, he's doing an excellent job at it so far.

If he got in front of a camera tomorrow and said something to the effect of "Look, we've had some issues in the past, between the kiddy-diddling priests, hiding of assets to avoid paying out settlements to the diddled kids, money laundering, influence peddling in Italy and elsewhere, etc. I know about them, and as Pope it's my responsibility to acknowledge failings in my Church. We're going to fix this in the most transparent way possible. We've had an internal investigation with assistance from local authorities to determine which priests were responsible for the pedophilia charges, they have been excommunicated and brought before the authorities to receive the justice they deserve. We've enlisted the help of the World Bank and IMF to bring the Bank of Vatican up to world standards, and to do a thorough and complete audit of our books by a objective, third-party firm. I understand that this is going to be a lengthy process on both accounts, but I want all believers everywhere to understand that we're not going to run from our obligations to you, or our obligations to God. Change starts from within, and if we're going to make this world a better, more peaceful place, then we have to start by cleaning our own house. Oh, and someone tell Pat Robertson and Fred Phelps in Americ ...

Last month the Vatican froze the account of a senior cleric, Monsignor Nunzio Scarano, suspected of involvement in money-laundering.He and two others were arrested by Italian police in June on suspicion of trying to move 20m euros ($26m; £17m) illegally.

...A French-based financial watchdog, Moneyval, has been carrying out a review of the Vatican bank's operations.

Jesus f--king Christ. I hope you got self satisfaction from typing out that crap.

Could there be more done? Of f--king course, always. But to say substantial steps haven't already been taken by a pretty f--king young pope is a straight up lie.

simplicimus:Johnny Swank: Comic Book Guy: These gestures alone have made him popular with (some of) the people, but he really hasn't done anything substantive with or within the Church. I feel like the outreach that he's done is simply to further the Church's mindset of "hookin' em while they's young".

The Catholic church has real, substantive problems with the priests within its ranks, and so far my perception of this guy is to bob, weave, and misdirect so he doesn't have to deal with any of them. Fortunately for him, he's doing an excellent job at it so far.

Farking THIS^ This asshole pope isn't any better than the guy that just quit, just better at pandering. Get back to me once the catholics get serious about turning in all the pedophiles they're hiding.

Everything the Vatican had on pedophiles in the Church has been handed over to the Italian Government. It's not the Church that's doing nothing.

And what jurisdiction/authority does the Italians have in the US or the UK? None. Shuffling priests around that have been accused (with substantive evidence to back it up, enough to warrant a hefty settlement at least) is worse than doing nothing, it's being complicit in the coverup. What can the Italians do to a American priest?

I'm sorry that your reading abilities are limited to single, double, or maybe even the mythical triple sentence replies. There are some of us that are more verbose than others, and don't mind spelling out a more nuanced view with more words than you clearly know what to do with.

Has francis so much as turned over Bernard Law, a person known to be hiding in the Vatican, over to the Boston authorities? Nope. This asshole hasn't lifted a damn finger for anything besides photo-ops.

I'm sorry that your reading abilities are limited to single, double, or maybe even the mythical triple sentence replies. There are some of us that are more verbose than others, and don't mind spelling out a more nuanced view with more words than you clearly know what to do with.

I'm sorry that your reading abilities are limited to single, double, or maybe even the mythical triple sentence replies. There are some of us that are more verbose than others, and don't mind spelling out a more nuanced view with more words than you clearly know what to do with.

Unlike you, I provided a citation (from a reputable news source, to unequivocally disprove one of your claims).

Comic Book Guy:simplicimus: Johnny Swank: Comic Book Guy: These gestures alone have made him popular with (some of) the people, but he really hasn't done anything substantive with or within the Church. I feel like the outreach that he's done is simply to further the Church's mindset of "hookin' em while they's young".

The Catholic church has real, substantive problems with the priests within its ranks, and so far my perception of this guy is to bob, weave, and misdirect so he doesn't have to deal with any of them. Fortunately for him, he's doing an excellent job at it so far.

Farking THIS^ This asshole pope isn't any better than the guy that just quit, just better at pandering. Get back to me once the catholics get serious about turning in all the pedophiles they're hiding.

Everything the Vatican had on pedophiles in the Church has been handed over to the Italian Government. It's not the Church that's doing nothing.

And what jurisdiction/authority does the Italians have in the US or the UK? None. Shuffling priests around that have been accused (with substantive evidence to back it up, enough to warrant a hefty settlement at least) is worse than doing nothing, it's being complicit in the coverup. What can the Italians do to a American priest?

Seriously? They're Italians. They know guys who can take care of that sort of thing.

I believe that there is a special place in hell for child molesters, but I ALSO want to see the molestersface justice in this world, as well as the next.